Court ruling highlights misconduct involving former judge

Following years of judicial misconduct and other serious allegations exposed in an ABC15 investigation, Maricopa County’s top judge has disqualified his entire bench from hearing a post-conviction relief challenge in a first-degree murder case. In an order issued on May 7, Presiding Judge Joseph Welty ruled that the “exceptionally rare” and “unprecedented” circumstances surrounding former judge Erin Otis required him to re-assign the case to a judge from another county.
More on the ruling: www.abc15.com/...
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[@iyeetsecurity922]

98% of judges make the rest look bad.

[@mortalclown3812]

Other way around.

[@dangeary2134]

@@mortalclown3812Bull.

[@noapologizes2018]

@@mortalclown3812 No, the percentage is intentional and correct.

[@-108-]

Just like cops, eh?

[@Swansong-recorders]

​@@-108-pretty much

[@user-neo71665]

Az whole system is dirty from the cops to the da and the judges.

[@petesmith9472]

Sorry….but the USA has the worst law enforcement agencies in the developed world

[@davebrown9725]

@@petesmith9472 Wasn't the entire original purpose of police agencies in the US to capture escaped slaves? More confederate sickness.

[@D.I.G.]

The Federal Arizona DA & Judges are the exact same way too. And there’s no one to check them because they police themselves and get slaps on the wrist for things normal people would be jailed for. It’s so sick.

[@robertmichel772]

boy that is the best statement yet Arizona and Maricopa county are the most corrupt places in the world to live these people are absolutely disgusting from the sheriff's office to law enforcement to the courts to the politicians everybody is corrupt

[@fluxcapacitor1621]

Red state. Shocker.

[@10thmt87]

Welcome to the American "JustUs" System.

[@azoldguy9025]

Corruption overseeing corruption, nothing will ever change! All you have to do is follow the money! There is always a money trail!

[@AlexeiTetenov]

"Power does what it wants, and now they're just more naked about it." -George Carlin

[@westmassdave7354]

Sounds like a good reason to stop paying taxes. And demand your money back. All of it.

[@DerekJensen-m3q]

You think any of these judges have any integrity ? I hardly believe it anymore

[@dianetan5790]

I don’t respect any law officials at all

[@fashiondiva6972]

I’m a judge. I’m also a 30 years of service combat veteran. I’ll thank you not to question my integrity.

[@Smart-Towel-RG-400]

No I'm Arizona atlest

[@douglastaylor43]

Judges need to be held to a higher standard and therefore the judge should be jailed for life.

[@markanthony8119]

I can say this and only this: serious misconduct is afoot in the Arizona justice system

[@cherylsosebee-barnett568]

Won't be any repercussions. Take a good look at Snohomish County WA

[@cherylsosebee-barnett568]

Lies lies lies. Maricopa county is as bad if not worse than snohomish county wa

[@abbylynn8872]

Waves hi from Seattle...🌸🌸💕

[@liquidfiretibby]

@@abbylynn8872 no, maricopa is one of the worst in the country

[@erinsmith7468]

VERY JUDGE in America needs to take and pass a nationwide LAW and ETHICAL test before returning to the court. These judges are suppose to be the adults in the room, not the idiots 🐾💙🐾

[@Matt-hs9gw]

Dave Biscobing, my man! Go get em, pal.

[@BA-iy4nb]

Wow now a death penalty prosecutor imagine the memes she will be sharing now

[@cynthiarowley719]

Reviewing the request for review, about reviewing? Circle of silence.

[@johncasey9042]

Next time I stuff up I'll investigate myself and see what I can find maybe

[@3PercentNeanderhal]

She's a member of the "Club".....nothing wiill ultimately happen.

[@nadinevalent4436]

it is insulting to the electorate

[@ctcanine]

Remember, you can use your First Amendment rights and call these public employees and let them know how you feel about this

[@dav0n]

And then you woke up from your dream and realized this is America where the rich white and powerful are above the law!

[@mattbanta7004]

This is a problem nationwide.

[@Jahwobbly]

Thanks for your reporting on law enforcement and judicial corruption.

[@wilkby]

This corrupt woman should be no where near life and death decisions in a court of law.

[@erikanders3343]

Yeah, you have to remember. Otis is very connected to the Arizona Republican party.

[@dav0n]

And we ALL know they’re above the law from SCOTUS to tRump ZERO ACCOUNTABLE EVER!

[@kevinpalmer5620]

Stick with it Dave the more you dig the worse for the corrupt and looser judge's bs

[@stevesmith236]

It's the opposite but the more power you have the more you need independent oversight.

[@geraldborwege3932]

Wow corruption at its finest and absolutely no accountability. People need to protest and not let this slide

[@ironhat2]

Good journalism guys.

[@JamesMiller-ce1df]

Once again, thank you Dave and ABC15.

[@KittyKeypurr]

And they wonder why nobody gives a crap about law and order anymore 🙄 if judges cops and lawyers are supposed to set an example of law abiding citizens? Why should I if THEY don't?

[@Private-GtngxNMBKvYzXyPq]

The world is watching. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Good journalism like this is part of the bedrock of a just and free society. Please keep up the great work.

[@Navschannel3908]

What is the underlying justification for "supporting/defending" this Judge/Attorney? If this woman is disbarred for example, for misconduct.... well every case she has EVER touched is subject to basically automatic reversal, and most likely dismissal... Imagine how many cases and lawsuits that will be affected and subsequently filed... ya, that's an economy sized can of Oh Crap.

[@Independent-Journalist-Union]

Microfractures in our foundation

[@toddbatstra645]

Higher standard of our legal system 😢

[@maxwellschneiter]

Seems like someone has a personal problem with this former judge and is using the system to go after her. I have seen far worse behavior on the bench than anything that has been revealed here.

[@hotttt28]

What is the commission even regulating?

[@theresiaharpster2012]

WOW!They lie so very well to your face. All here need to be investigated. Then, if and are guilty, be in prison for life. Because of what they were doing to citizens and playing God on citizens life's.

[@h_3_x_]

It's time for the citzen to play God back

[@jolhu]

How did the State Bar not take her law license?! If Otis didn't fail ethical standards, WHO WOULD???

[@kgraham5820]

RARE??? NO, she did NOT just say that!! Is this a news report or a damn SNL comedy skit?? It would probably horrify us to really know what they’re doing on the bench while people’s lives hang in the balance and I’m sure there’s more than a couple, or handful, of culprits. These are just the ones caught.

[@edwardbartoneb]

State Bar’s additional review means State Bar lets just sweep the complaints under the rug. And deny any wrongdoing by all or just a few members of the judiciary in the county.

[@mitter237]

Corrupt leading the corrupt. Mitchell and Otis both need to be fired. They are awful in their jobs💯.

[@robertmichel772]

once again Maricopa county AG's office is an absolute corrupt joke and this chick needs to be hauled off and prosecuted and disbarred

[@user-ln8hp4vt5z]

Zero Tolerance for these Crimes. How Pathetic.

[@dochoskinsjr9807]

Corruption in America... no! Sounds par for the course.

[@NeverlandRancher]

Clark County (Las Vegas) also had a judge like this named Zimmerman. She’s an oath violator.

[@petemarron6677]

It's a good ole boy "justice" system over there in az. I used to live there.

[@JohnAdam2021]

Sounds like the state bar needs to be investigated.

[@zt5547]

As usual, corruption starts from the top.

[@hotttt28]

Why is she still employed and not disbarred ?

[@Talk-to-the-Pugs]

Systemic corruption.

[@NopeUghUghAbsolutelyNot]

I'm not surprised... look at the conduct of our scotus. These folks get together for private conferences and lil public talks. They know what theyre doing from the top to the bottom

[@wendielangborders4116]

Must be a Democrat

[@LanceB]

Great reporting thank you

[@fluxcapacitor1621]

Conservative. Shocker.

[@Bobalicious]

Lawyers are unlikely to be any better at policing themselves than the cops.

[@joekerswild2754]

Oh, oh, now do NYC.

[@Don.Challenger]

Dave Biscobing, it might be interesting to get some comments from a few of the judge and attorney members of the Arizona Thurgood Marshall American Inn of Court and the Phoenix Horace Rumpole Inn of Court, these self interest groups talk a high game on justice system ethics so canvassing a few might be illuminating and since no case is extant they can't use the standard demurral of 'before the courts' just yet.

[@scanmead]

Until people start paying close attention to the judges who appear on ballots, this won't change. Do at the very least a Google search on each one before voting to continue their appointment. Voting requires thought these days. You can't just vote along party lines anymore.

[@francessalazar6476]

Awesome job Dave..

[@ronwade5646]

Obnoxious

[@fdafdsafdsafdsa5655]

We are so connected now that corruption is exposed everywhere from social movements to authority

[@russellgilson3536]

Yes but nothing is prosecuted.

[@fdafdsafdsafdsa5655]

@@russellgilson3536 Correct. I think its because the wealthy know that they can save money on court costs and housing inmates. They know the offenders will go back into the working class neighborhoods and not the rich ones where they live. Same thing they did with mental institutions. Turn them lose but make sure they stay in working class neighborhoods

[@Mac-ix4qp]

Unprofessional and insular from the SC a the way down.

[@korpse6rinder]

The people in power gave themselves qualified immunity because they were doing things the right way... Imagine if anyone else could investigate themselves and find themselves not guilty.

[@thatguyitsme7707]

Satan (verb) = to accuse, to prosecute … Satan (noun) = accuser (prosecutor), adversary, claimant (plaintiff), enemy.

[@mythoughts772]

The bar in most states is a joke

[@johnnylafayette]

Confiscate aka legal theft! God knows!!!

[@hardwarefixer6822]

DOJ, DOJ, DOJ

[@hotttt28]

Be careful who you vote for even if they're running unopposed

[@JuliePlott]

That Judge needs to be disbarred!!! How can they let her get away with that!

[@johnnylafayette]

Oh lord, its unconstitutional to dictate the roads your taxs pay for. Leave people df alone yo

[@libertylovebryant7026]

THERES MORE

[@casandrala8370]

Respect to Dave and those of same spirit.

[@FrederickBrown-p3t]

So they investigate themselves and find nothing wrong

[@diana-v9h]

Arizona again?

[@darcam]

When a system covers for itself, protects itself investigate itself and punish itself without oversight, or accountability it's a corrupt system.

[@casandrala8370]

The results are similar when AZPOST investigates misconduct of law enforcement officers. Nada.

[@Bmerciful]

They govern themselves it's the problem and fault of the people when these things continue

[@eilenekellogg-ki2br]

Unprofessional.

[@dosesandmimoses]

Ahh.. the way the news used to be.

[@micheallyons731]

Does this sound like Integrity To You? It doesn't to me, in fact it sounds like trying to get over on somebody, the people!

[@Smart-Towel-RG-400]

These people need prison time

[@dwaynestomp5462]

Tha enture US legal ststem us like this. We just don't see it because the bad actors protect each other and the good people are afraid of retaliation from them.

[@TheTravAbides]

The fact Dave took the replies away on his X account made me lose all respect for him. He fights for free speech and transparency but does that? Makes him a dirty, double talking, cowardly hypocrite.

[@Sony-mu7ol]

This judge is evil

[@Ashphinchtersayswhat]

I know Erin.

[@petesmith9472]

EX judge Otis will be a perfect republican nominee for the SCOTUS

[@wendielangborders4116]

I figured a Democrat

[@JohnDoe-oj5it]

Ohhh ! My This is your best story ?

[@larryhurley4993]

Better look at thomas the crook and alito

[@CKB-vi8nw]

0:50-1:00

[@shannonohara7478]

I'm not saying there wasn't misconduct, I had only a single brief experience, but would just like to mention that I was a juror in a case that Judge Otis presided over a few years ago, and several of us commented on how notably fair and professionally she and the other officers handled the proceedings.

[@RockU2Death5150]

🔥👩🏻‍⚖️🔥

[@marcusanderson-yeager6740]

Wow, another Trump hawking cheap goods, wonderful and amazing for grifters!

[@SASDPNV]

How is telling someone to apply to a job or telling them about openings they are qualified for misconduct? That is a stretch and it isn't improper at all. Some of these issues are manufactured and are more subjective than objective. While I think she did do wrong as a judge, there is no reason she can not move to another job and go through the hiring process like everyone else. If being human to a dirt bag who murdered an innocent is "flirting" then you truly are fishing. This Dave guy has even made stuff up in his stories and lied about stuff before to get views, I do not buy into all of this and it is clear what is being said does not line up with the facts. Plus if an investigation does not go your way and the facts do not support your allegations, you are just going to continue to lie and cry? The commission has made its decision and you have no real evidence to prove that the outcome was wrong other than a bruised ego.

[@donnellaapperson480]

Hmmm well she must be another Jack Smith

[@dav0n]

Trump r*ped a woman! Had he been treated like anyone else he’d be in prison rn and NOT actively ruining our country!

[@MagaMonkeysMovetoRussia]

I bet you she a Repub!